Written Answers Tuesday 21 August 2007

Scottish Executive

Airports

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had, or plans to have, any discussions with the UK Government about creating another free zone in Scotland.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Executive has not had any recent discussions with the UK government about creating another free zone in Scotland.

  Moreover, newer regulations have been introduced which mean that any person may apply to HM Revenue and Customs to have an area of land designated as a free zone.

Airports

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has quantified the benefit to the local and Scottish economy of the free zone at Prestwick.

Jim Mather: Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire reviewed the Prestwick free zone in the late 1990s to establish whether it could leverage additional investment into Ayrshire and Scotland. The review found that newer regulations have been introduced which mean that any person may apply to HM Revenue and Customs to have an area of land designated as a free zone. These regulations have very much eroded any competitive advantage offered by the free zone at Prestwick.

  The free zone at Prestwick is currently non-operational and no traders are using the facility.

  Policy responsibility for free zones remains with the UK government. HM Revenue and Customs is currently reviewing the free zone process across all six UK free zone sites and may revoke free zone procedures when the modernised customs code is introduced.

Children's Services (Scotland) Bill

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1660 by Adam Ingram on 23 July 2007, when it expects to make a decision on whether to proceed with the draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill.

Adam Ingram: As stated in our response to answer to question S3W-1660 on 23 July 2007, we are currently considering the government’s wide ranging work to improve outcomes for children in Scotland and will announce our decisions in due course including in relation to the draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Crofters Commission

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support changes to crofting law to allow for the election of members of the Crofters Commission.

Michael Russell: Scottish ministers will consider the future role and constitution of the Crofters Commission once they have received the report of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting, led by Professor Mark Shucksmith. The committee is expected to report early in 2008

Culture

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has introduced a £5 million annual Saltire Prize.

Jim Mather: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced on 15 August 2007 that the first Saltire Prize will focus on supporting innovation within the energy sector. Further details of the prize will be announced in the near future.

Dyslexia

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers dyslexia to be a disability.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises that the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 may include people with dyslexia. Our policies in relation to disability are therefore inclusive of people with dyslexia.

Energy

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has accessed the £40 million, collected through the fossil fuel levy, for taking forward renewables in Scotland.

Jim Mather: We continue to examine the options for securing the surplus Fossil Fuel Levy funds and remain in contact with both Ofgem and Treasury over this issue.

Energy

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been done to develop warm zones.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government has given £239,000 to support the Dundee Community Energy Partnership, an area based initiative to improve energy efficiency.

Energy

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings are planned with energy companies to discuss social tariffs.

Stewart Maxwell: I have no immediate plans to meet with energy companies to discuss social tariffs.

Energy Efficiency

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available about the cost of retrofitting (a) water and (b) energy saving devices in council and housing association housing as a means to reduce carbon emissions.

Stewart Maxwell: The Sustainable Housing Design Guide published by Communities Scotland is intended as a reference source for housing providers, including local authorities and Registered Social Landlords, who wish to adopt sustainable principles and practices in housing maintenance and development. This includes material on affordable warmth and saving resources, including water. The Guide is available on the Communities Scotland website: http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/shdg/Home.pdf .

  The Scottish Government’s fuel poverty programmes improve the energy efficiency of existing housing and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the provision of measures such as insulation and central heating. Further information on the central heating programme and the Warm Deal, including costs, is provided in annual reports for the programmes available via this link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/08/e9122648/link.

  External organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust also publish information on energy saving measures for existing homes: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housingbuildings/.

  The Scottish Government cannot vouch for the accuracy of material provided by external organisations.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Business Gateway centres are in operation, broken down by local enterprise company area.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask it’s Chief Executive to write to you in response to this question.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued any guidance to Scottish Enterprise on the future of the Business Gateway centres.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Executive has regular contacts with Scottish Enterprise on a range of matters, including the Business Gateway, in respect of which it is in the process of awarding new contracts for local delivery of gateway services. The future operation of the Business Gateway will be considered in the context of wider decisions as to reform of the Enterprise Networks, on which decisions will be taken over the coming months. There has been no specific guidance issued to Scottish Enterprise in relation to Business Gateway centres.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that Highlands and Islands Enterprise should continue to operate a different, more broad-based model for economic development in its region than that operated by Scottish Enterprise.

Jim Mather: Consideration of the reform and refocus the Enterprise Networks is now underway and this will take into account the particular economic, geographical and social circumstances within the Highlands and Islands area.

Fisheries

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coast area have been excluded from the fisheries dependent areas pursuant to the 2007-13 European Fisheries Fund draft Operational Programme.

Richard Lochhead: The Eyemouth and Berwickshire coast area has not been excluded from the fisheries dependent areas to be identified under the Operational Programme for the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).

  The criteria for selecting fisheries dependent areas have yet to be agreed and will form part of the full public consultation on Scotland’s Operational Programme.

Health

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what average calcium intake has been in each year since 1980, broken down by socio-economic group.

Shona Robison: I am informed by the Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) that there is no single data set that provides information on the average consumption of calcium by socio-economic group between 1980 and the present time. Thus, data on the average consumption of calcium by income quintiles was obtained from the Expenditure and Food Survey of the UK, which provides information from April 2002 up to March 2003 and from April 2003 up to March 2006. This data is not Scotland specific.

  The following table shows the average intake of calcium (per person, per day) by income quintiles which are based on gross weekly household income. The first quintile contains the lowest income households and the fifth income quintile contains the household with the highest income. Calcium intakes were determined from food brought into the home and eaten outside the home.

  Table 1 Average Calcium Intake from all Food and Drink in the United Kingdom

  

Year
 
Quintiles


Quintile1
Quintile2
Quintile3
Quintile4
Quintile5


April 2002 to March 2003
Lower boundary (gross weekly income)
 
£187.86
£341.44
£541.21
£820.95


 
Intake of calcium per person per day (mg)
1,020
1,010
980
990
970


April 2003 to March 2006
Lower boundary (gross weekly income)
0
£206
£364
£596
£915


 
Intake of calcium per person per day (mg)
1,055
1,044
1,006
973
977



  Note: mg, milligram.

Housing

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review current right to buy legislation and what form the review will take.

Stewart Maxwell: The report to Parliament in September 2006 on the effect of the right to buy concluded that the full impact of the changes arising from the 2001 Housing Act would not begin to be known until after September 2007. We intend to monitor closely the emerging pattern of sales to tenants who have completed their qualifying periods under the modernised right to buy over the coming months. The impact of right to buy sales varies from one locality to another. We will be examining whether there are ways to make the policy more responsive to local needs; balancing the opportunities for homeownership against the pressure on affordable housing locally.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many landlords have been considered unfit for registration under the National Registration Scheme for Private Landlords, broken down by local authority area.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government recognises that the vast majority of landlords operate lawfully. No applications for registration have been rejected yet, but several local authorities are taking action on applications where there are concerns. This may involve the landlord being invited to an interview with a panel of officials to discuss those concerns, or a hearing before the relevant council committee.

Housing

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2223 by Stewart Maxwell on 1 August 2007, what it estimates the total value was of all discounts for the sale of council houses under the right to buy scheme in each year since 1979.

Stewart Maxwell: The following table shows the amount of discount for sales of public authority stock to sitting tenants under the right to buy and rent to mortgage schemes, and through voluntary sales.

  Total Value of Discount of Public Authority Stock Sold through Right to Buy, Rent to Mortgage and Voluntary Sales

  

Year
Discount(£ Million)
Year
Discount(£ Million)


1979
1.5
1993
355.8


1980
34.6
1994
388.6


1981
65.4
1995
310.3


1982
96.0
1996
237.3


1983
127.3
1997
317.9


1984
130.8
1998
276.5


1985
136.3
1999
264.5


1986
138.4
2000
278.8


1987
210.8
2001
268.6


1988
379.7
2002
333.9


1989
509.6
2003
367.0


1990
480.6
2004
306.7


1991
371.1
2005
308.2


1992
410.8
2006
280.9



  Source: Sales3 returns provided to the Scottish Executive by local authorities.

  Notes:

  1. Public authorities include local authorities, new towns and Scottish Homes (Scottish Special Housing Association prior to April 1998).

  2. Monetary values are in nominal terms and have not been adjusted for inflation.

  3. The table excludes sales to sitting tenants who preserved their rights to buy their home following the transfer of stock to housing associations in Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow and the Scottish Borders in 2003, and in Argyll and Bute and Eilean Siar in 2006. The total value of these additional discounts is £141 million.

Housing

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has the power to issue guidance to local authorities with regard to discretionary housing payments and, if so, what guidance it has issued.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to Discretionary Housing Payments. These are administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Industrial Injuries

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, including members of the public, have died in each year since 1999 as a result of work-related incidents.

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, including members of the public, have been injured in each year since 1999 as a result of work-related incidents.

Jim Mather: The official source for information on work related injuries and deaths is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Statistics on work related injuries and deaths in Scotland can be found on the HSE website at the following link http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/regions/scotland.htm .

Industry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways it will assist Scottish manufacturing employers to cope with increased European and international competition.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to secure the future of manufacturing jobs in West Dunbartonshire.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers provide a wide range of support to manufacturing companies, including financial support, innovation grants, help with trade overseas, practical support for companies to improve productivity and efficiency and business and product planning services delivered through our enterprise agencies and Scottish Development International. In addition, our Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service delivers specialist advice to manufacturing companies in Scotland.

  We will also seek to gain their support for tax powers and the setting of a more competitive rate of Corporation Tax in line with our manifesto commitment.

Industry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to assist those affected by the decline of Scottish manufacturing.

Jim Mather: Not all of Scotland’s manufacturing is in decline, some companies are at the cutting edge in terms of design, innovation and technology. The Scottish Government provides a range of support to manufacturing companies in Scotland. Where redundancies do occur, our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment framework provides support, advice and guidance on a wide range of retraining and upskilling opportunities to help employees, including those in the manufacturing sector, access alternative employment. This comprehensive support is tailored to meet individual needs and local circumstances and includes: Jobcentre Plus services; one-to-one counselling; access to high-quality training; seminars on skills such as CV writing and starting a business, and access to IT facilities.

Livestock

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a commercial trial of electronic sheep identification and, if so, what conditions it would apply to such a trial.

Richard Lochhead: It would not be the Scottish Executive’s intention to support any commercial trials of electronic identification (EID) of sheep. Any manufacturer wishing to trial EID equipment would do so purely as a commercial decision.

Livestock

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts the Executive has made or is making to influence the European Commission in relation to the method and timing of implementation of electronic sheep identification.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive continues to work closely with the European Commission on the introduction of Electronic Identification (EID) in Scotland. EU Regulation 21/2004 provides for the mandatory introduction of EID from 1 January 2008. This is subject to review by the Commission who expect to produce a report in the autumn. The indications are that it will recommend that EID be partially introduced in 2009. The date for full introduction across Europe will be decided by the Council of Ministers.

Ministerial Visits

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still follows the previous administration’s protocol of notifying MSPs as a courtesy when ministers visit their constituencies.

Bruce Crawford: There has been no change to the protocol of notifying MSPs of ministerial visits to their constituencies.

Rail Network

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop an energy policy and targets for the railway system as part of the capital rail strategy.

Stewart Stevenson: There are currently no plans to develop a specific energy policy and targets for the railway system following the publication of Scotland’s Railways . The Scottish government will continue to explore opportunities for its transport policy to contribute to the aims of Scotland’s Climate Change Programme Changing Our Ways and the National Transport Strategy . Its investment in the railways will seek to maximize the opportunities that rail provides by encouraging modal shift away from the private car and air travel where possible. Other measures will include investigating the use of more efficient rolling stock for both passenger and freight services and the increased electrification of the Scottish rail network.

  Transport Scotland is also part of the GB-wide cross-industry "Rail Sustainable Development Group" which is working on a 30 year sustainable transport policy and identifying ways of reducing environmental impacts by increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and identifying technological improvements.

Rail Network

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1647 by Stewart Stevenson on 24 July 2007, what the benefit to cost ratio would have been for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail project if it been calculated on a 60-year basis, consistent with the other projects referred to in the answer.

Stewart Stevenson: The Larkhall to Milngavie rail project was assessed by SPT under the appraisal system in place at the time which assessed schemes over 30 years. Sufficient detail of the analysis is not available to extend accurately the appraisal to 60 years.

Renewable Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop fuel substitution targets for the main energy consumption sectors, namely transport, heating and electricity, as part of its energy strategy.

Jim Mather: Our energy strategy will set out objectives and key areas for action. A target for generation of electricity from renewable sources is already in place and this Government has ambitions for an approach to renewables which extend beyond that. Targets for heat and transport will be examined, taking into account the European target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 and targets set under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

Renewable Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will redefine its 2020 target for the proportion of electricity generated from renewable resources in terms of a reduction in greenhouse gases to meet the UK’s 2020 target on emissions reductions and whether it will set out a detailed and comprehensive strategy for meeting its target.

Jim Mather: This Government wants Scotland to show leadership in facing up to the global threat posed by climate change. We plan to publish a consultation before the end of the year on a Scottish Climate Change Bill with proposals to set a mandatory target to achieve an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050.

  We are holding detailed and inclusive discussions with stakeholders on renewable energy in the round, including the importance of targets and the creation of a route map for a successful, renewable Scotland. I will make further announcements in due course.

Renewable Energy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the current regulatory regime for renewable electricity generation takes full account of Scottish circumstances.

Mr Jim Mather: Ofgem’s transmission charging regime works against the development of renewable energy resources in Scotland. This government wants Ofgem to set charging regimes which support rather than work against environmental objectives. The First Minister intends to meet with Ofgem to discuss the impact their charging regimes have on Scottish electricity generators.

Renewable Energy

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-949 by Jim Mather on 27 June 2007, how much of the hydro capacity was installed before 1990.

Jim Mather: The following information is taken from the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), published by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

  At the end of May 2007 there was an installed hydro capacity in Scotland of 1,246.9 MW from stations commissioned before 1990 and with a capacity of at least 1 MW.

  DUKES also notes that there is a further 130 MW of installed hydro capacity from stations across the UK with a capacity of less than 1 MW. Details regarding the location and commissioning dates of these stations is not held centrally.

Renewable Energy

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the interim findings of the micro-renewables pilot project will be published.

Stewart Maxwell: Interim findings from Scottish Government research projects are not published as a matter of course, and we have no current plans to publish an interim report on the micro-renewables pilot project. However, a final report is scheduled for publication in the autumn of 2008.

Scottish Executive Finance

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the forthcoming draft budget will present directly comparable figures for previous and future years at levels one, two and three based on the current Executive structure and that in place prior to May 2007.

John Swinney: Final details on the content of this year’s draft budget are still being discussed and have yet to be finalised. Budgets will be shown on the basis of the new Executive structure and figures for years 2002-03 to 2010-11 will be available on a comparable basis.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering a formal change of the title Scottish minister to Cabinet Secretary.

Bruce Crawford: No. The term Scottish minister, as defined in the Scotland Act, will continue to be used for legal purposes. Any change to that situation would require legislation in the UK Parliament.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set a date to complete consideration of the practicalities of the more formal use of the term Cabinet Secretary and, if so, what that date is.

Bruce Crawford: No date has been set. Any further changes leading to the use of the term Cabinet Secretary for legal purposes would be a matter for discussion with the UK Government.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, whether there are any legal implications of using the term Cabinet Secretary on a more formal basis, given that the Scotland Act 1998 states that "The members of the Scottish Executive are referred to collectively as the Scottish Ministers".

Bruce Crawford: Use of the term Cabinet Secretary does not alter the effect of the Scotland Act. The terminology provided for in the act is used where this is necessary for legal purposes.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether future legislation will continue to use the term the Scottish ministers when referring to roles, powers and functions of designated members of the Scottish Executive despite those minister being commonly referred to as Cabinet Secretaries.

Bruce Crawford: Yes. The terminology to be used in legislation is specified in the Scotland Act and can be changed only by the UK Parliament.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, if there are no plans to formally change the term the Scottish ministers to the Cabinet Secretaries, whether it intends to issue guidance to accompany future legislation so as to clarify which members of the Executive are being referred to by the term the Scottish ministers.

Bruce Crawford: There are no plans to formally change the term the Scottish ministers which will continue to be the term used in future legislation. The term is defined in the Scotland Act therefore it is unnecessary to issue guidance to accompany future legislation so as to clarify which members of the Executive are being referred to.

Scottish Executive Ministers

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what costs have been incurred as a result of the use of the title Cabinet Secretary instead of Scottish minister.

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made, or is in the process of making, an estimate of the cost of using the term Cabinet Secretary.

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, if it decides to use the term Cabinet Secretary on a more formal basis, whether it will do so following consideration of the costs incurred by such a change and, if so, what mechanism will be used for this consideration and by what date it will be complete.

John Swinney: The costs involved in the change of title which would not have been incurred in any event as a result of the change of government are negligible. No work has been, or will be done in the assessment of an aggregate cost, and there are no plans to review the use of the term Cabinet Secretary.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address sectarianism in workplaces and ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Jim Mather: The STUC are currently facilitating research into Sectarianism in the Workplace and will report the researchers findings to the Executive in the near future. Once received, we shall review any outcomes and make our decisions on that basis. Of course, it remains the case that under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, individuals already have the right not to be bullied or made fun of at work or in a work-related setting because of their religion or beliefs.

Teachers

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many probationary teachers have had to move abroad for a teaching job in the last five years, broken down by country in which employment has been secured.

Maureen Watt: Information on the number of teachers moving abroad after completing their Induction year is not held centrally. The following table provides the number of probationer teachers who having been offered their one-year teaching post on the teacher induction scheme, have opted to work/travel abroad or to take up a teaching post outwith Scotland. This information is not available broken down by country and will include teachers who have moved within the UK.

  

Year
Travel/Work Abroad
Post Outwith Scotland
Total
Total no. of Probationer Teachers


2002-03
no data available
no data available
no data available
2,044


2003-04
5
15
20
1,815


2004-05
2
12
14
2,034


2005-06
6
17
23
2,730


2006-07
2
13
15
3,554


2007-08
1
13
14
3,610


Totals
16
70
86
15,787

Tourism

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to re-establish area tourist boards as independent membership organisations.

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the tourism network, in light of any tensions between VisitScotland and its stakeholders.

Jim Mather: This Government’s primary aim is sustainable economic growth right across Scotland, and we see Scottish tourism playing a key role in achieving that aim.

  The Tourism Framework for Change, which was prepared jointly by the tourism industry and the public sector working closely together, sets out an ambition to increase tourism revenues by 50% over the decade to 2015. This ambition is widely shared across the sector. We will ensure that VisitScotland, EventScotland and the enterprise agencies collaborate even more closely to attract more visitors to Scotland through world class marketing and innovative product development, helping to make Scotland a "must visit" destination. We will work alongside tourism businesses which share the ambition to grow revenues by exceeding their guests’ expectations, making Scotland a "must return" destination.

  As part of developing this way forward, I shall be working with the tourism industry and public bodies to consider whether any structural or other changes are necessary. As part of this I look forward to meeting a wide cross-section of industry representatives, and hearing their views, at a seminar I am holding later in August.

Voluntary Organisations

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are significant hot spots or slow areas for referral in relation to ProjectScotland.

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the national coverage of ProjectScotland is and how this is determined.

John Swinney: ProjectScotland is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity whose aims and objectives are to promote the welfare and relieve the needs of the population in Scotland by encouraging and assisting young people to provide their skills and services voluntarily to charitable organisations.

  ProjectScotland places its volunteers in areas and placements they choose. ProjectScotland seeks to operate in all parts of Scotland.

  Full information about the work of Project Scotland is available from its Chief Executive at 49 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HL.

Voluntary Organisations

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an assessment has been undertaken to determine the number of new volunteering opportunities created through ProjectScotland.

John Swinney: ProjectScotland is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity whose aims and objectives are to promote the welfare and relieve the needs of the population in Scotland by encouraging and assisting young people to provide their skills and services voluntarily to charitable organisations.

  Since its launch in May 2005 ProjectScotland has placed over 1,400 young people into full-time volunteering opportunities, the vast majority of which have been developed by ProjectScotland.

  Full information about the work of Project Scotland is available from its Chief Executive at 49 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HL.

Warm Deal

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in receipt of the Warm Deal received all five measures of energy advice, cavity wall insulation, energy saving bulbs, loft insulation and water tank lagging, available under the grant, in each year since its inception.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  In addition to the five measures listed, households can also qualify for pipe lagging and draught proofing. All dwellings benefiting from the Warm Deal programme received one of the available measures plus energy advice and low energy light bulbs, as a minimum.

  Information is not held centrally on that part of the programme managed by local authorities. In that part of the programme managed by the Managing Agent, the number of dwellings receiving all measures is not recorded separately. However, the following table shows the number of dwellings, improved by the Managing Agent, that received energy advice, low energy light bulbs and more than one of the other measures.

  

Year
Dwellings Improvedby the Managing Agent
Dwellings Receiving> Minimum Measures


1999-20001
24,767
1,249


2000-01
26,555
2,126


2001-02
22,328
1,779


2002-03
21,755
1,167


2003-04
21,600
1,104


2004-05
14,953
1,025


2005-06
15,500
152


2006-07 (estimate) 
3,177
(not yet available)2


Total
150,635
8,602



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and The New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Warm Deal

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on the Warm Deal programme in each year from 1999 to 2006.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The total amount of expenditure on the Warm Deal Programme since 1999-2000 is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Total


£ Million


1999-20001
10.78


2000-01
11.72


2001-02
9.73


2002-03
9.34


2003-04
10.67


2004-05 2
11.12


2005-06
5.99


2006-07(estimate)3
5.64


Total
74.99



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and The New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. This amount includes £3.96 million for replacing partial central hearting systems and undertaking other innovative measures to tackle fuel poverty.

  3. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Warm Deal

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses benefited from the Warm Deal programme in each year from 1999 to 2006.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The number of dwellings benefiting from the Warm Deal Programme since 1999-2000 is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Total


1999-20001
47,085


2000-01
49,215


2001-02
40,877


2002-03
29,992


2003-04
27,520


2004-05
19,013


2005-06
15,500


2006-07(estimate)2 
23,865


Total
253,067



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and the New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Warm Deal

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses benefiting from the Warm Deal programme received only loft insulation in each year from 1999 to 2006.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  All dwellings benefiting from the installation of loft insulation under the Warm Deal programme will also receive energy advice and low energy light bulbs, as a minimum.

  Information is not held centrally on that part of the programme managed by local authorities. In that part of the programme managed by the Managing Agent, the number of dwellings receiving loft insulation energy advice and low energy light bulbs, as a minimum, is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Dwellings Improved by the Managing Agent
Dwellings Receiving Loft Insulation


1999-20001
24,767
8,290


2000-01
26,555
13,963


2001-02
22,328
12,353


2002-03
21,755
10,591


2003-04
21,600
10,527


2004-05
14,953
8,022


2005-06
15,500
2,467


2006-07 (estimate)2
3,177
(not yet available)


Total
150,635
66,213



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and the New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Warm Deal

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average grant was for houses under the Warm Deal programme in each year from 1999 to 2006.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The average grant under the Warm Deal programme in each year since 1999-2000, is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Average Grant


£


1999-20001
229


2000-01
238


2001-02
238


2002-03
311


2003-04
388


2004-05
376


2005-06
387


2006-07(estimate)2
236



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and the New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Warm Deal

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Warm Deal maximum grant of £500 will be increased.

Stewart Maxwell: Decisions about the level of future grant payments are a matter for the Spending Review. I currently have no plans to adjust the level of payments.